Trying to find a child that was supposedly put up for adoption by my mother. How do I begin a search?

Question

This child was put up for adoption and I have very little information other than that he/she was born in the early 60's, and my mothers maiden name and the birth state being New York. I really want to do the research myself but am totally unsure of where to start-- any suggestions?

Answer 1

Who May Access Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The following persons may receive information:

The adopted person who is age 18 or older

The natural parents

A natural sibling who is age 18 or older

The adoptive parents of an adopted person who is under age 18

•

Access to Nonidentifying Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The department shall operate an adoption information registry for the exchange of nonidentifying information between the persons listed above.

Nonidentifying information shall only include the following information, if known, about the adopted person, natural parents, and natural siblings:

The age of the parents in years at the time of the child’s birth

The heritage of the parents, including nationality, ethnic background, race, and religion

Education completed by the parents at the time of the child’s birth

General physical appearance of the parents at the time of the child’s birth, including height, weight, color of hair, eyes, skin, and other information of similar nature

The occupation of the parents

The health history of the parents

The talents, hobbies, and special interests of the parents

The facts and circumstances relating to the adoption

The existence of any known birth siblings

Upon acceptance of a registration, the department shall search registry records to determine whether the adopted person’s adoption occurred within the State. If the adoption did occur within the State, the department shall request nonidentifying information from court records. If the department determines that the adoption did not occur within the State, it shall notify the registrant that no record exists of the adoption occurring within the State.

If an agency was involved in the adoption, nonidentifying information may be accessed by registering the mutual consent voluntary adoption registry maintained by the agency.

•

Mutual Access to Identifying Information

Citation: Pub. Health Law §§ 4138-c; 4138-d

The department shall operate an adoption information registry for the exchange of information between the persons

listed above. Any person whose registration was accepted may withdraw the registration prior to the release of any

identifying information.

Upon acceptance of a registration, the department shall search the registry files to determine whether the person

sought is registered. If there is a match, the department shall notify the court to request the person’s final consent to

the release of identifying information.

Upon receipt of a final consent by the adopted person, birth parent, and/or birth sibling, the department shall,

unless the adopted person or birth sibling has elected otherwise, release identifying information to all the registrants.

Such identifying information shall be limited to the names and addresses of the registrants and shall not include any other information contained in the adoption or birth records.

A mutual consent voluntary adoption registry may be maintained by each agency involved in an adoption. Persons eligible to receive identifying information may work through the agency involved in the adoption. The agency shall accept and maintain the registrations of an adopted person, the natural parents, or a natural sibling. If the agency determines that the agency was involved in the adoption, it shall transmit the registration to the adoption information registry operated by the department and release nonidentifying information.

An adoption medical information subregistry shall be part of the registry. Access to all identifying records and information in the subregistry shall be subject to the same restrictions as the adoption information registry. The department shall establish procedures by which a birth parent may provide medical information to the subregistry, and by which an adopted person age 18 or older, or the adoptive parents of an adopted person who is under age 18, may access the medical information.



Access to Original Birth Certificate

Citation: Pub. Health Law § 4138

The original birth certificate is available only upon order of the court.

Where the Information Can Be Located

New York State Department of Health, Adoption Registry

And here is the link to the NY state registry per UGB  : The New York State Adoption Information Registry is located here:

http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_reco...

thank you www.childwelfare.gov for that!

Search & Support

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nyadoptees... <<<< definitely go here, and get help from "joanNY/AZ"

Adoption Crossroads has bbq’s and healing weekends for family separated by adoption also :)

__________________________________

Once your search is on its way PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to http://www.unsealedinitiative.org and get involved. Right now there is a bill that would restore the rights of adoptees by giving them their birth certificates back. They not only need surrendering mothers letters, but from siblings, adoptees and any other family as well. They need your help. Please.

Don’t forget ISRR <<< a MUST!

Answer 2

Get the non-identifying information from the agency or lawyer that did the adoption.  You actually have a lot more information that most of us adoptees, you have the mothers name.  If nothing else, there are people trying to get licensed to do searches of this sort.  A lot of times, they charge just their expenses they incur for the search in exchange for a letter of recommendation.  There are databases that searchers have that have tons of this sort of information.

Answer 3

gosh won't she help you? well if you can go to the records and see if you can find birth certiifcate do you have names? i mean it would make it nice if she would tell you something maybe she has papers you could look when shes not around. take care.

Answer 4

Adoption Database  http://adoptiondatabase.org/  has a registry, a search and support group and a fee-based search service.  It is a "no find, no fee" service, so if they cannot find your relative, you pay nothing.  They recently found 2 men who had been adopted for their biological cousin who was searching for them.  She paid a total of $310.00.

Answer 5

try my ancestory.com!?!?!

hey why not though....not a bad site....geez people!!!! I found people that who were looking for information on my mother who passed when I was 7!

Answer 6

adoptioncrossroads.com

go to chat and ask for joe.